questions about gear

[audispider]

ok, here it goes. new to diving, want to get my own gear, rentals suck...

BCD: one of my instructors had the Scubapro Classic Plus and let me try it on. It felt really good. It's got integrated weights, which i like. His also had the alternate 2nd stage reg on the low pressure inflater...so, first question is what do you guys think of this bcd? second is, other than not having the extra hose, is there any benefit to the alternate 2nd stage reg on the low pressure inflater?

Regs. i've been reading about these a lot and i've seen a lot of reviews of people raving about this reg.... it seems a little pricey and was wondering if you guys think its worth the price. i'm new to this whole thing, so i dont want to spend 10 grand, but i realize that you get what you pay for and am willing to do so.

ok, i've also seen dive shops online call them octopuses, in class i believed we called them alternate 2nd stage regulators...is there a difference? am i missing something.

last question, any suggestions on a cheap (realatively) computer for a beginning diver.

when i get back to north carolina i'd like to take the advanced class combo'd with the enriched air class. but i know with the advanced class, one must provide their own equipment, rental or own...i'd prefer to own...

anyways, thanks for the help, sorry if they are stupid questions, imma newb

 

[The Chairman]

The BC is fine, and so is the reg. They would not be my first choice for either, but they are adequate. I also think the Apeks is overpriced and you could better for less.

As for your computer, I would suggest Oceanic's Veo 250. Reliable, full featured and incredibly easy to use. I have this on all my student gear and am WAY happy with the results.

 

[audispider]

what would you recommend for a bc and reg then?

 

[sberanek]

I like my Oceanic VEO 100. It does what I need and it was a really good price. Eventually, I'll move up in the line of Oceanic comps., but I just don't have the money right now with saving for underwater photog equipment.

I'm partial to my Sherwood Magnum BC (Weight integrated) and Scubapro reg. I have an Air II (alt. second stage on low pressure inflator) on my BC, but that was an aftermarket installation. I have a little dial on my reg. that allows for changing how the reg. breaths. I like to have easy breathing and having the dial control is great for adjusting that.

It might be a Sherwood reg., but since I'm not at home, my brain is second guessing itself on what brands I have. This is what happens when you have a mix of brands
I'm certainly heading towards DORK diver status.

--Shannon

 

[The Chairman]

For a new diver, I think both Zeagle and Oceanic provide awesome quality for a good price. I bought all Zeagle gear for my class gear: Stilletto Bc and the Envoy Regulator. I will probably add some Oceanic Islander BCs and their Alpha 8 regs during the winter. These both are uncluttered BCs and bullet proof regulators. BTW, I don't like those integrated inflator/reg devices. I like a very short BC hose, and that severely limits head movement if you are sharing air.

 

[audispider]

so the alternate 2nd stage on the bc hose is more just a matter of personal preference?

 

[The Chairman]

Precisely. I too thought it was a great idea and dove the Tusa duoaire for over a year. One OOA experience (I was the provider) showed me that I DIDN'T like that solution whatsoever. My buddy is on my right, and I am looking to my left and that was with a fairly normal length BC hose. Then, I dove for a while with a backup as well as the duo aire and found there was never a desire (or need) for it. I have tried to sell it, but no one seems to want it!

 

[spectrum]

That's a fine BC. I would be careful about integrating 100% of your weight though. If you need to get out of your rig alone at depth such as in an entanglement incident you will be trying to cork while you clutch your BC and cut yourself free.

I am no fan of inflater/ Alternate combos but you will not die if you choose to go that way. The link to a rant I had on the topic got broken in the board crash but you can find the topic debated monthly if you search. Let it suffice to say that there are trade offs and that having 1 hose less is not significant.

That is a fine regulator you are considering. From what I read you could spend a lot less but I'll let the Apeks users comment further.

In my vocabulary the Octopus is the ganglia of hoses sprouting from your first stage. The extra second stage you carry is the alternate second stage (You usually breathe from your primary second stage) but the term safe second was also been used. Along the way the alternate second stage took the name of octopus and many brands actually list them as such you can call it anything you want! Here is an old thread on the topic. I have seen old texts that support my definition.

Cheap computer for a novice.... $15 dollar U/W watch from Wal-Mart and your depth gauge and that gray thing between your ears. Use your tables to plan your dives for starters. You will probably find that you are nowhere near your limits and the computer will just be collecting dive trivia. When your planning shows that a square profile is limiting your dives then get a simple non integrated nitrox capable computer, in your choice of mountings for about $300.

A computer is not required for nitrox just as it is not required to dive with air. Your nitrox class should include everything you need to know for diving nitrox by table.

Have fun,
Pete

ok, here it goes. new to diving, want to get my own gear, rentals suck...

BCD: one of my instructors had the Scubapro Classic Plus and let me try it on. It felt really good. It's got integrated weights, which i like. His also had the alternate 2nd stage reg on the low pressure inflater...so, first question is what do you guys think of this bcd? second is, other than not having the extra hose, is there any benefit to the alternate 2nd stage reg on the low pressure inflater?

Regs. i've been reading about these a lot and i've seen a lot of reviews of people raving about this reg.... it seems a little pricey and was wondering if you guys think its worth the price. i'm new to this whole thing, so i dont want to spend 10 grand, but i realize that you get what you pay for and am willing to do so.

ok, i've also seen dive shops online call them octopuses, in class i believed we called them alternate 2nd stage regulators...is there a difference? am i missing something.

last question, any suggestions on a cheap (realatively) computer for a beginning diver.

when i get back to north carolina i'd like to take the advanced class combo'd with the enriched air class. but i know with the advanced class, one must provide their own equipment, rental or own...i'd prefer to own...

anyways, thanks for the help, sorry if they are stupid questions, imma newb

 

[Colliam7]

The BC is fine, and so is the reg. They would not be my first choice for either, but they are adequate. I also think the Apeks is overpriced and you could better for less. …. For a new diver, I think both Zeagle and Oceanic provide awesome quality for a good price.

I would agree that these would not be ‘first choice’ items for me, but they are both quality pieces of equipment.

BTW, I don't like those integrated inflator/reg devices. I like a very short BC hose, and that severely limits head movement if you are sharing air.

I’m no fan of inflater/ Alternate combos but you will not die if you choose to go that way. The link to a rant I had on the topic got broken in the board crash but you can find the topic debated monthly if you search. Let it suffice to say that there are trade offs and that having 1 hose less is not significant.

It IS a subject of quite some debate. I personally do not care for them, but YOU won’t die in an OOA. Your buddy might be inconvenienced a bit, however. In a long running thread on ‘most-regretted equipment purchases’, the combination alternate / inflator ranked in the top 5 (regretted) items, along with snorkels and Spare Airs. Just something to consider.

That is a fine regulator you are considering. From what I read you could spend a lot less but I'll let the Apeks users comment further.

I dive the ATX200 (previous version of this reg) and LOVE it. But, I dive it / them on my doubles. While a fine reg, I think it is a wee bit much (price and function) for a relatively new recreational diver, and I echo the Zeagle suggestions. The Envoy is a great reg, for quite a bit less than the XTX200. Have an Envoy (and a ZX/50D) for singles diving, and I think Zeagle regulators are outstanding values – they breath well at depth, have not had particular free flow problems in cold water, lots of service locations, etc. While not inexpensive, they are not overpriced either.

 

[audispider]

excellent, thanks for the advice